I was able to take the metro from my hotel station to the botanical gardens and back — no problem!
I mentioned in my summary of a weekend in Singapore that the metro was one of the best I’d ever used. It’s true. It was empowering and great. Here’s some info.
There is virtually zero gap
I rode the metro for probably thirty journeys and only one time was the gap psychologically challenging, but I zipped over it anyway and it was fine. Here’s a video of the typical gap.
This is a very typical gap I traversed frequently with my power chair. No problem!
The routes are few & easy
There are boards with maps and stops in every modern station. After a few rides, you will know which direction you need to go if you memorize the endpoints. If you go the wrong way, just get off at any station and go to the other platform and go the other direction.
There’s a station at the airport
The metro doesn’t run late or very early in the morning, but if you’re looking for a cheap option for getting from the airport, there is a station right there. You can buy the Singapore Visitor pass for the metro after you enter the station and use it throughout your trip.
Follow the tactile paths
Although the target audience for these are the blind and visually impaired these come in handy as a sort of “Silver Brick Road” for wheelchair users too. There are tactile paths from the entrances to the elevators to the platforms, so you can follow those and make your station visit even easier.
If you need help at any time, just about every station has an attendant or guard who will help you.
I took a quick trip to Singapore in November 2018, partly to see the WTA Tennis Finals and partly to get to Platinum Medallion status on Delta. Some might say, “You’re crazy to travel 27 hours there and 30 hours back for four days.” I say, “Screw you, I’ve been to Singapore and you haven’t!”
Singapore Summary
The airport is fantastic
The metro is super accessible and cheap
Autumn flights seem to be cheaper
It’s very wheelchair-friendly
The Flight to Singapore
I used my Chase points to get a ticket on Delta from Chicago via Detroit and Tokyo for around $600 in points. I have seen low fares and low mileage award tickets for the fall the last two years. I had a stop in Tokyo where just by exploring the airport I was convinced I needed to visit Tokyo sometime.
Singapore Transportation
I arrived at a really weird time and the metro didn’t open until 5AM so I spent the night mostly in The Haven lounge, which was on the arrival side of the airport. There were shower rooms, food, beverages, and not very many people. I had heard that taxis from the airport were expensive for wheelchair users so it was a no-brainer.
The Singapore metro was sooooo good that I actually got excited to use it. As a wheelchair user, metro/subway systems are hit or miss in most places — mostly miss. But this system was wholly accessible to all the places I wanted to go, WITHOUT HELP. I got the Singapore Visitor Pass at the airport station and used it religiously.
Gardens by the Bay
The Hotel in Singapore
I stayed at The Westin Singapore and the location couldn’t have been better for the price (under $200 a night). It’s near a great metro station and best of all, the harbor. It was very quiet in the mornings on the weekend and I loved it. The room I had was designated accessible and had a HUGE bathroom with roll-in shower.
The Stuff to do in Singapore
I went to the botanical gardens, the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown, Little India, Orchard, and a few other areas. All were accessible enough with my power chair. The only place I had issues was Fort Canning Park because it was hilly and my chair was running out of battery.
The WTA Finals were at the Singapore Sports Hub, which was easily accessible by the metro. The arena had accessible seating and the staff was very friendly.
Marina Bay Sands
My Singapore Memories
One of my wheelchair motor releases was bent during the flight and it kept making this squeaking sound as I motored around the botanical gardens. It was so close to a flagellation sound that people would laugh a little when it would happen.
As I cruised around the bay, this jogger was running barefoot next to me and tried to keep up with me, but couldn’t. He tried to give me a high-five before giving up but I can’t lift my arms up so I just left him hanging and zipped on.
I happened upon a street where the sidewalk was lined with shoes and as I turned the corner there was a pre-Dewali procession going down the road. It was super cool, but I am pretty sure I smashed somebody’s flip flops trying to avoid the crowd.
It cost $50+ for an appetizer platter and skillet queso at the Chili’s in Sentosa. Don’t judge me, I was hungry. I usually only reserve stops at American restaurants for quick, cheap bites when I am really hungry.
Why You Should Go to Singapore Anyway
I had never been to Asia before and was expecting it to be overwhelming. However, Singapore was surprisingly one of the most accessible places I’ve ever been. The people were super friendly and the city was so clean and safe. I would recommend it to anyone who is afraid of Asia but wants to go.
You Should Go Anyway 
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